You have many options for health insurance if you have VA benefits and are eligible for care.
If you’re a Veteran who is eligible for VA health care, you can choose to get your health care from the VA, or you can choose to get all of your health care from private doctors.
If you aren’t enrolled in VA health care, you need to buy a plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace or outside the Marketplace.
If you are enrolled in VA health care and meet specific income requirements, you may be able to register in Medicaid and use it as secondary insurance when getting non-VA primary care services.
If you’re 65 or older and receive Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, then Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) may be available at no cost to you.
However, some Veterans qualify for premium-free Part A based on their military service and do not need to receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits to qualify. To find out if this applies to you, contact Social Security Administration or call 800-772-1213 (TTY: 800-325-0778).
Traditional VA health care.
Traditional VA health care provides you with access to various benefits and services. These include primary care, specialty care like surgery or mental health, emergency care and urgent care, hospitalizations, prescription medicines, medical equipment, etc.
It’s important to note that this level of VA health coverage is only available to all veterans enrolled in VA health care. It is not available to all veterans eligible for enrollment in VA health care (e.g., those who are not registered).
Veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Veterans who served on active duty and have a service-connected condition (an injury or illness caused or worsened by their military service) may qualify for CHAMPVA.
You can use CHAMPVA to pay for the health care services you need. For example, include a visit to your primary care provider, urgent care center, emergency room, prescriptions, and other medically necessary services. You won’t get these benefits if you don’t enroll in CHAMPVA.
If you do decide to enroll in CHAMPVA, be sure to tell your providers that you have this coverage so they can bill TRICARE for your care instead of billing Medicare or another third-party payer.
Other resources
Even if you don’t get VA medical care, the VA will still provide information and assistance on programs and resources outside of the VA.
For example, the US Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) offers a searchable listing of available jobs and can help you learn about other employment-related services.
The US Department of Health and Human Services’ website includes information about the Affordable Care Act (also known as “Obamacare”), which provides health coverage for millions of Americans.
Increase Your VA Disability Rating
Your VA disability rating is important—it determines the benefits you get for your service. When you’re looking for a new rating or want to upgrade your current one, you deserve an advocate who can help you get what you need.
That’s where Veteran Ratings can help. They have the experience and resources to help you get the ratings and benefits you deserve. They’re experts at getting veterans the rating they deserve, and we have helped hundreds of veterans increase their VA Disability Rating.
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